It's as you were for the finalists in the 2016 Myclubshop.ie 60x30 All Ireland finals with the four favourites safely negotiating their passages through to this year's showpiece occasion.
For the first time since 2010 Handball at National Level was back in Croke Park and while the old alley had a familiar feel to it so too did the four finalists who emerged, as the four most dominant 60x30 players over the past number of years in Mens & Ladies 60x30 secured their final spots.
First up at Croke Park on Saturday was the meeting of Cork's Catriona Casey, going for her fifth straight final and fifth title in a row and Kilkenny's Ciara Mahon, one of the most improved Handballers at Senior level over the past number of years. Casey is a four time winner of this title and has the capability on her day to blow opponents away. Unfortunately for Mahon this was one of those days as a ruthless Casey swept to a 21-1, 21-0 victory to seal her fifth straight decider. The scoreline did not do Mahon justice as she fought determinedly throughout and at times luck deserted her when in good positions. However Casey as all good champions do took full advantage of her opponents off day and on this performance will rightly start as favourite in the final in two weeks time.
The battle to face Casey in that decider came next with Limerick's Martina McMahon, runner up for the past two years facing Kerrys Ashley Prendiville, who had reached the 60x30 Nationals final earlier this year and is a three time winner of the Singles title. The first game started off with both players finding their feet as they got used to the Croke Park court and the game was evenly poised as the score stood at 8-8. McMahon took the initiative from here and reeled off a number of points to gain an advantage and try as Prendiville might she couldn't stop the dominant Limerick woman who closed out the first 21-8. In the second McMahon found a further gear and wrapped up a confident victory securing the game 21-3 to qualify for this year's final. It was a very assured display from McMahon who has been improving year on year and she will be quietly confident of this year being third time lucky in her quest for her maiden Senior title.
And so for the fourth time in four years Casey and McMahon will do battle for the blue riband title in Ladies softball. Last year's final was one of the best games in recent years so expectations will be high for this year's clash which will form part of a cracking final day's programme in two weeks time in Croke Park.
Up next was the first of the Mens Semi Finals as 9 time champion Eoin Kennedy (Dublin) took on Meath's Brian Carroll. Kennedy who was aiming to qualify for a 15th final which would be his 13th in a row took control of the first after an even start which saw the pair locked at 11-11. Kennedy upped his game at this stage and began to dominate as he closed out the first on a 21-11 scoreline. If the first was relatively straight forward the second was a real championship affair full of thrills and spills with both players displaying tremendous athleticism around the court as they battled to 13-13 following some excellent rallies and cracking finishes from both men. Kennedy took control once more and extended his lead to 20-13 as he looked hot favourite to advance, however Carroll is one of the most determined players in the game and is never beaten untill the 21st ace. One by one he pulled Kennedy back and following a few lung bursting rallies the score stood at 20-19 and a third game looked on the cards. Kennedy however summoned one last piece of energy and managed to regain serve then close out the game with two fantastic shots to secure his place in his 13th straight final. It was a double celebration for Kennedy who was also celebrating the birth of his first child on Friday night.
The final game of the day saw reigning champion Robbie McCarthy from Westmeath take on the returning Seamus O'Carroll from Limerick. O'Carroll who has returned from 3 years out of the game had done fantastically well to make the semi finals at the first attempt back but on Saturday he came up against a player at the top of his game as this proved a step too far for the Limerick man at this stage. In the first McCarthy was at his confident best and while O'Carroll showed glimpses of form, a lack of game time at the top level meant McCarthy had too much on the day and took the first 21-6. The second followed a similar pattern with McCarthy dominant and despite O'Carrolls best efforts the Mullingar man secured his final berth taking the second on a 21-7 scoreline.
And so the 2016 Mens Final will be between the two most dominant players of the past decade. The pair have contested the last 7 finals and between them have amassed an incredible 13 out of the last 14 titles with Kennedy winning 9 and McCarthy 4. In two weeks time in Croke Park that number will become 14 with one adding another title to their already impressive roll of honour. It promises to be a fantastic spectacle with a full house expected in headquarters. Ticket details will be announced in the coming days and don't miss your opportunity to witness the next chapter in this fascinating rivalry.